Memory

I don't know how long I've been walking and I don't know when I began. All I know is that I see a [[village]] in the distance and I've never been thirstier in my entire life.

As I near the village, I notice a crowd of people gathered by the entrance. Their eyes are tracking my every [[step]].

I continue walking towards them and can begin to see their [[faces]] more clearly.

They're all [[smiling]] at me

A woman emerges from the crowd and begins making her way towards me. "Welcome, Stripes", she says, grabbing my hand and holding it between hers. (if: $Played > 0)[ ~~Pull hand away~~ ~~Thank you~~ ~~Who's Stripes?~~ (text-style: "shudder")[[[Stab her ->shoving my knife into her heart]]]](else:)[ [[Pull hand away]] [[Thank you]] [[Who's Stripes?]] ]

You quickly pull your hand away and distance yourself from the woman. [["Who are you"]] [["Where am I"]]

"You must be exhausted!", she says as she turns to walk away, "[[come with me]], let's get you cleaned up".

"Who's Stripes?", you ask. A few folks in the crowd quietly laugh to themselves. "Why, it's your name of course! Unless you remember having a different one?", she replies. Now that you think about it...you [[don't]]

"Perfect! Stripes it is", she exclaims as she leads you through the gates and [[into the village]].

"Who are you?", I ask, expecting her smile to dissapear when I pull my hand away from her's. However, she kept on smiling, "The name's Red", she said while pointing at her bright red shirt, "couldn't you tell?". She begins walking away and signals for me to [[follow her]].

"Well, I'd love to show you", she says gently, "[[come with me]]".

The crowd of people part as you and the woman enter [[into the village]]. Everyone continues to smile and stare as you pass through.

"The name's Red, by the way", she says while pointing at her shirt, "if you couldn't already tell". "Nice to meet you", you mutter as you continue to [[follow her]].

As I follow Red, I begin to focus my gaze up towards the sky. The setting sun casts a soft pale glow onto [[seemingly brush painted clouds]]. A cool breeze gently picks up, causing me to notice how few layers of clothes I'm wearing and how [[cold]] I'm becoming.

I freeze as an image briefly flashes before my eyes, me and another child are lying on our stomachs, painting with watercolors. Red pauses and turns around, noticing I've stopped walking, "Is everything okay, Stripes?". [[Tell Red about your memory]] [["Just taking a quick break!"]] (set: $memory to $memory + 1) (set: $paintMemory to $paintMemory + 1)

"It's getting a little chilly, isn't it?" I say. Red nods her head, "Don't worry, it won't be long now until we reach the place you'll be staying [[from now on]]".

Red nods her head, "Of course, you must be exhausted. It won't be long now until we reach the place you'll be staying [[from now on]]".

"Thank you for letting me stay the night", I say, "I'll be on my way very soon". Red's smile widens, "We'll see", she says and [[continues walking]].

After some time, we near a small hut made up entirely of stone. Red and I make our way inside and she sits down on a bale of hay near the enterance. "Sorry, Stripes", she begins, "I know it's not much, but you'll get used to it". I offer a smile, "This is just fine. [[Thank you, Red]]", I say.

"Yeah, everything's okay", I say, "I just remembered something I haven't thought about in a long time is all". Red's eyes widen, "I'd love to know what it was", she says. "It was nothing, really", I respond slowly, "I just remembered I used to paint with watercolors a lot when I was a kid". "Watercolors...", she repeats again to herself, "Thank you, Stripes. That is a truly wonderful memory". For a moment, Red's eyes trail off somewhere in the distance and then quickly return to meet mine, "Anyways, you must be exhausted. It won't be long now until we reach the place you'll be staying [[from now on]]". (set: $paintMemory to $paintMemory - 1) (set: $memory to $memory - 1)

"Glad we're on the same page", she says as her smile returns. She leans back against the wall of the hut, crosses her arms, and takes a deep breath before she begins, "There's not too much that can be said about the history of this village. From the length of my hair, I've gathered I've most likely been here for around one year. All that we know for certain is that everyone came to this place lost, and stayed here feeling found. We've grown quite the family and have also developed a system for how things work around the village. Seeing as we're all dirt poor-", she laughs, "the only real thing of value around here is a good story, you know?" I let out a small chuckle, "I suppose that's true". "Anyways", she continues, "This led us to create a barter system of sorts. A nice memory(if: $paintMemory >0)[, just like the one you graciously gave me earlier,] can get you a lot around here. Gather yourself enough memories and you might even reach the level of the Memory Holder". [["Memory Holder?"]]

"I'm sure you'll learn more about him in time, Stripes", she says. "The memory holder is the most powerful member of our village. Not liked by many, but respected by all. Nobody knows how many memories he entered our village with, but right now he certainly contains the most by far". [[Why is he disliked?]] [[What does he do with all of those memories?]]

"Well, he isn't very generous when it comes to sharing memories...one could say the old man is a hoarder of sorts. He's locked away in his hut most of the time, letting all of those precious memories collect dust in his mind. The very few times he is spotted around the village, he's quite rude and irritable ", Red sighs. "Anyways, Stripes, I think it's time you [[get some rest]]. I'll see you around", she says as she gets up and walks out of the hut and into the darkness.

"That's the same question many of us in the village ask ourselves. In my eyes, that old man is a hoarder, collecting all the memories he can and then just letting them collect dust in his mind", Red sighs, "what a waste...Anyways, Stripes, I think it's time you [[get some rest]]. I'll see you around", she says as she gets up and walks out of the hut and into the darkness.

Once Red is gone, I am left alone with my mind which is whirring with thoughts and yet as empty as the night sky. "I need more", I whisper softly before drifting off to [[sleep...]]

"Don't mention it", she says warmly, "you're with us now". We sit in silence for a moment until she speaks again, "Stripes, you'd probably like to know where you are now, wouldn't you". "Yeah, that would be nice", I respond. "I'm going to tell you, Stripes", she says as her smile begins to fade, "but before I do, I want you to know that I see a piece of myself in you. We have to look out for eachother, okay?" [[Nod your head yes]] [[Lie and say yes ->Nod your head yes]]

[[Dream...]]

Someone's shouting at me to hurry and I can feel my heartbeat begin to pick up. I turn around and see a figure waving for me to follow them. I have no time to think, my legs carry me in the figure's direction. "Please! Wait!", I yell, chasing after the figure. I'm running so fast I can't feel the ground beneath me. Everything around me is beginning to blur. The sky is melting... [[Wake up]] (set: $memory to $memory + 1) (set: $Dream to $Dream +1)

I awake in a pool of sweat. My head is throbbing and there are tears in my eyes. I look down at my hands and my knuckles are still white from what I can only assume was my clenched fists. "Geez Stripes, sleep long enough?", a voice shouts from outside my hut. I slowly stand up and make my way over to the entrance, Red is leaning against the wall tossing a rock up and down in her hand. "How long was I out for?", I ask. "How should I know?", she responds, "Anyways, I'm pretty busy today so I just wanted to let you know you'd be on your own". "That's fine", I say. Red's face grows serious, "Remember what I told you last night, we have to look out for each other, okay?". "Sure, Red..." I mutter as she nods and then turns and walks away. [[Exit hut]]

I step outside of the hut. To my surprise, I find there are more huts surrounding mine on all sides. In the darkness of lastnight, I must not have noticed the extent of the village's population...It's massive. I feel a sudden urge to [[explore it]].

(if: $apples > 1)[ ~~Walk to the marketplace~~ ](else:)[ [[Walk to the marketplace]]] (if: $Treehouse > 0)[ ~~Talk to nearby villagers~~ ](else:)[ [[Talk to nearby villagers]]] (if: $truth >0)[ ~~Knock on neighboring huts~~ [[Talk to Nike]]] (else:)[ [[Knock on neighboring huts]]] [[Memory Log]] (set: $Knock to 0)

I notice a few villagers standing nearby. A middle aged man standing among them makes eye contact with me and signals for me to come over. "Morning, Stripes", he says in a deep and warm voice. "Goodmorning", I respond. "You're in luck, Stripes", he says as he points to the woman standing across from him, "Nike here was just about to give me a memory of hers. I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you listened in. Right, Nike?", he says while turning to face the woman. She smiles softly, "Not at all, I've shared it with so many people it's hardly of value anymore." "Great. [[Whenever you're ready]]", the man says.

The sweet smell of fruit in the air makes me realize how hungry I am. I begin walking towards the scent and soon enough I find myself in the village marketplace. I weave my way through the morning rush and over to the fruitstand. A young woman no more than 20 years old is sitting behind the stand with a frown on her face. She notices me approach her and stares at me silently. [[Talk to her]] [[Leave ->explore it]]

(set: $Knock to $Knock +1) I walk over to the hut directly next to mine. The door is closed so I [[knock ->Knock on neighboring huts]] twice... (if: $Knock >= 3)[ No response...I [[knock ->Knock on neighboring huts]] a few more times] (if: $Knock >= 5)[ "Hello? Anyone home?", I call out. Still no response... (if: $apples > 0)[ [[Try the next hut over]]](else:)[ [[Leave ->explore it]]]]

"Hello there!", I say to her, smiling. She nods her head at me, "What do you want, Stripes?". "An apple or two of yours would be great", I respond. "What do you have?", she says while looking away uniterestedly. I pause for a moment, "Well, what would you like?". A scowl forms across her face and she is now staring directly at me, "Are you trying to waste my time, Stipes? What do you mean what would I like? One memory. Keep wasting my time and I'll make it two". I guess Red was serious when she told me memories are the only thing of value here... I respond to the woman, "Sorry miss, I didn't mean to waste your time." (if: $memory > 0)[I think for a moment, "Actually, I do have a memory that might be of interest to you". "Oh, yeah?", she says, "Well go on then, [[what is it?]]"] [[Leave ->explore it]]

Available Memories: $memory (if: $paintMemory > 0)[ Painting as a child ](else:)[ ~~Painting as a child~~] (if: $Dream > 0)[ Chasing someone ](else:)[ ~~Chasing someone~~](if: $Treehouse > 0)[ Nike's treehouse ](else:)[ ~~Nike's treehouse~~] [[Back ->explore it]]

Tell her about... (if: $paintMemory > 0)[ [[Painting as a child]] ](else:)[ ~~Painting as a child~~] (if: $Dream > 0)[ [[Chasing someone]] ](else:)[ ~~Chasing someone~~] (if: $Treehouse > 0)[ [[Nike's treehouse]] ](else:)[ ~~Nike's treehouse~~] [[Leave ->explore it]]

I describe the memory of me and another child painting with watercolors the best I can. She shrugs her shoulders, "It's a nice memory, I guess. Here you go, Stripes", she says, handing me two shiny green apples. "Thank you", I respond. [[Leave ->explore it]] (set: $paintMemory to $paintMemory -1) (set: $memory to $memory - 1) (set: $apples to $apples +1)

I describe the dream I had of a mysterious figure signaling for me to follow them in as much detail as I could. She pauses for a moment and then shrugs her shoulders, "Strange memory but that'll do, I guess. Here's you go", she says, handing me two shiny green apples. "Thank you", I respond. [[Leave ->explore it]] (set: $Dream to $Dream -1) (set: $memory to $memory - 1) (set: $apples to $apples +1)

I tell the woman all about Nike's house she and her friend had built in a tree when they were young. I grin as I tell her that the house was built entirely of wood and that they needed a latter to even get inside of it. The woman smiles, "I know Nike. Very nice girl", she says. "Unfortunately, Stripes, she's told me that memory before so it's no longer of value to me. I'll need something else if you want any of my apples". [[Offer a different memory ->what is it?]] [[Leave ->explore it]] (set: $apples to $apples +1)

Nike nods and preceeds to tell us of a house she and a friend had built (in a tree of all places!) when they were young. She tells us the house was made entirely of wood and that they needed a latter to even get inside of it. The man and I both break out into laughter. "Amazing!", he exclaims, "What a funny memory that is! I can see why you have shared it with so many". Nike blushes, "I knew you'd like it, Yellow. I hope you enjoyed it too, Stripes". "Of course", I say while grinning, "Thank you, Nike, it was lovely". [[Leave ->explore it]] (set: $memory to $memory +1) (set: $Treehouse to $Treehouse +1)

I decide to try knocking on the next hut over but on my way I notice a [[small child]] curled up nearby.

I can't imagine this child is more than 6 or 7 years old... Their hair is matted and they're clothed in dirty rags. I find myself growing incresingly concerned as I notice how thin the child's arms and legs are. (if: $apples >0) [I walk over to the child and [[give them one of my apples]].](else:)[ I need to go [[find some food ->explore it]] for this poor child.]

The child's eyes are glazed over in a layer of tears and seem distant. However, the moment they notice me moving towards them they back away quickly. "Don't be afraid", I say, "I just want to give you something to eat...You look hungry". The child looks down at my hand and sees the apple. They shakily stand up and grab it from me. I watch as the child slowly takes a bite of it and then quickly eats more. "Slow down", I say gently, "I have another if you're still hungry after that one". The child pauses and then nods their head. [[What's your name?]] [[Where are your parents?]]

"What's your name?", I ask the child. Their eyes fill up with tears, "That's not something I'm allowed to know anymore". Startled by their answer I hesitate for a moment, "...What do you mean by that?". "She took everything away", the child said slowly, "everything...", they repeated as their voice trailed off. "Stripes!", a [[familiar voice]] shouts before I am able to respond.

"Where are your parents?", I ask the child. Their eyes fill up with tears, "That's not something I'm allowed to know anymore". Startled by their answer I hesitate for a moment, "...What do you mean by that?". "She took everything away", the child said slowly, "everything...", they repeated as their voice trailed off. "Stripes!", a [[familiar voice]] shouts before I am able to respond.

I look towards the direction of the voice and see Red walking towards me. I wave at her and then turn back around to face the child but they're gone. Red catches up to me, "Why were you talking to that child, Stripes", she says coldly. "They looked hungry", I respond, "what are you doing here?". "I had some time inbetween meetings and thought I'd check in to see how you were doing. I didn't think I'd find you talking to [[the lost]]", she says while frowning.

"What are you talking about?", I say to Red, "are you upset I was trying to help a child in need?". Red shakes her head, "You're too new to this place to understand, Stripes. That's not just a child, that's a child among the lost". "I thought you said everyone here was lost", I shoot back. Red sighs, "Indeed I said we all came here lost, but we also then stayed in this village feeling found. The lost are the few who refuse to be found. The lost are those who are driven by desire to escape this haven even though they know not even where they wish to escape to. They have no place in this society". "Well then maybe neither do I!" I say angrily, brushing past Red and running back [[towards my hut ->explore it]]. "Get back here, Stripes!", Red shouts at me but I'm already gone. (set: $truth to $truth +1)

I notice Nike standing in the same spot she was before. This time, however, the man from earlier is gone and she's all alone. "Hey, Nike!" I call out as I make my way over to her. "Hey again, Stripes!", Nike smiles. After a moment, Nike notices the expression on my face and her smile turns to a frown, "Is everything alright?". [[Where are we, really?]] [[Do you ever want to leave the village?]]

Nike frowns, "What do you mean?". "This isn't any of our homes. Doesn't anyone want to go back to their real homes?", I ask in a calm tone. "You're wrong, Stripes. The village is our home", Nike offers. "It's not enough", I say, "Don't you need more than this? Where are our real homes? Where are our real families? Where did our memories go? Why doesn't anyone care?!". Nike slowly backs away from me, "Stripes you need to stop. I don't want you to get in [[trouble]]".

Nike frowns, "What do you mean?". "Where even are we?", I ask again in a calm tone. "We're in the village", Nike offers. "That's not enough", I say, "Don't you need more than that? I'm asking where we are, really. Where are we geographically? How did we get here? why don't we know? why does nobody care they don't know?!". Nike slowly backs away from me, "Stripes you need to stop. I don't want you to get in [[trouble]] [[again]]".

"Trouble?!", I respond, "what does that even mean? Who would I get in trouble with?". Nike lowers her voice, "You need to stop, Stripes. I'm talking about [[Red]]".

A shiver passes through my spine and my eyes grow wide. "W-what about her...", I stutter. Nike quickly looks at the ground, "I've said too much", she says as she turns to walk away. [[Let her go]] [[Grab her hand]]

I stand still, frozen with fear, as I watch Nike walk away. I wait to see if she'll turn her head to look back at me but she never does. "What does she know?", I think to myself. What is she hiding? Lost in my thoughts, I didn't even notice Red, who had just caught up to me. "What the hell do you want?", I say coldly. "I want you to come with me", Red responds as she [[takes my hand]].

"Don't leave me", I say as I pull Nike closer to me. "Stripes...", She says softly, "It hurts me too much to watch this happen". "Watch what happen?", I ask. "Everytime you come back you get curioser and curioser...", Nike whispers. Suddenly, Nike throws her arms around me, burrying her face into my neck, "I'm terrified one day she'll figure out how to wipe your personality as well". I freeze. My entire body feels as though it's tightening up until I can barely breathe. In that instant I see [[flashes of Red]].

I immediatly attempt to pull my hand away from hers but her grip tightens. "You're hurting me", I say, raising my voice. "You always make it so hard for yourself, don't you, Stripes?", she responds. After a few minutes of walking in silence, I notice we're back at the gate to the village. I laugh, "What? Are you gonna kick me out?". Red smiles, "Not at all, Stripes", she says. We pass through the gate and walk for what feels like miles untill she spins me around to face the village. Looking at the village from this distance reminds me of the very first time I saw it. The last thing I remember hearing is Stripes say in an unfamiliarly low and raspy voice, "I would never kick you out, Stripes. I just want you to try again...[[now walk ->Begin]]". (set: $Played to $Played +1)

"Again?!", I respond, "what does that even mean? Have I gotten in trouble before?". Nike lowers her voice, "You need to stop, Stripes. I don't want [[her]] to hear you".

"Her?", I respond, "Nike, who are you talking about?!". Nike lowers her voice, "I'm talking about [[Red]]".

I know what Red has done to that poor child. I know what Red has done to "the lost". I know what Red has taken from the village. I know what Red has taken...from me. "Thank you", I say, kissing Nike on her forehead. I now know what I must do... [[Bright Red ->Expose Red]] [[Blood Red ->Destroy Red]]

(text-style: "shudder")+(text-style: "shadow")["WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?!", Red screams at me. [[Twist knife]]]

(text-style: "shudder")+(text-style: "shadow")[With all my might I grip the handle of the knife and twist it. Red screams in agony, cussing at spitting in my face. [[Twist harder]]]

(text-style: "shudder")+(text-style: "shadow")[I twist the knife until the blade snaps off from the handle. Red falls to the ground, surrounded in a pool of her own blood. [[Drop handle]]]

I drop the handle of the knife and fall to my knees. Tears stream from my eyes, "Why did you make me do it", I ask her. "You should be proud, Stripes", Red says through strained breaths. "Return it all", I say. "Once I die I'll no longer be able to store your memories anyways", she whispers. "All of this...", I say while clenching my fists, "and for what?". Red doesn't respond. I search for a pulse in her wrist and as soon as I feel it stop, my life [[resumes]].

"Memory" By Chloe Page Core Lab/Studio: Environments Parsons School of Design [[Begin again ->Begin]] (set: $Played to 0) (set: $Treehouse to 0) (set: $paintMemory to 0) (set: $apples to 0) (set: $truth to 0) (set: $Dream to 0) (set: $memory to 0) (set: $Knock to 0)

Nike nods her head, "Make known the suffering she has caused". "[[I won't fail this time ->walk to red]]", I say, and walk back to where I had just encountered Red.

Nike nods her head and slips a knife from her sleeve to mine. "[[I won't fail this time]]", I say, and walk back to where I had just encountered Red.

Red is still standing in the same spot as before. Her lips are snarled into a disgusting attempt of a smile. "Tell me what you've learned this time, Stripes", she says in an unfamiliarly low and raspy voice. "I've learned that this time will be the last time", I respond. "Oh?", she responds in a mocking tone, "and why is that". I signal for her to follow me as I make my way towards the [[village gate]]. "You were going to take me here anyways, isn't that right?", I say. She silently follows.

A crowd of people begin to gather as they notice Red and I nearing the gate. "Nobody who has left these gates has ever come back the same, have they, Red?", I ask loud enough for everyone to hear. "I suppose that's true", Red responds, becoming increasingly aware of the people surrounding us. A few members of the crowd begin to talk amongst themselves. "That's right", one of them says, "I saw Red and Grey pass the gates one time and he returned a changed man". "I saw that as well", another chimes in, "Do you remember when Blue and Red went for a stroll past the gates?" "We never saw Blue again", says another. "Tell me what all those times and every other had in common", I say, staring directly at Red. She smiles but her eyes look as though they're piercing right through me. [[Walk through the gate]]

"Watch me", I say to Red as I walk through the gate. The crowd has now grown exponentially. All eyes watch me as I step into the outside. A couple villagers cry out for me to stop. "Please! It's dangerous!", one shouts. Red's expression hasn't changed, it's as if she is frozen. I walk until I reach the distance Red normally takes me to. "[[Does this look familiar?]]", I shout.

The crowd of villagers stare back at me. "Who here has seen the Memory Holder with their own eyes?", I ask. Not a single person raises their hand. I walk back towards the gate and stop directly infront of Red. "It's because the Memory Holder doesn't exist", I smile, "however, a stealer of memories is among us". "How dare you-", Red begins but I quickly cut her off. "If anyone's wondering how I passed through the gate and remained the same, it's because Red wasn't with me. Red wasn't there to wipe my mind and claim my memories. She wasn't there to induce the hell which is this fog of amnesia", I say with disgust. Stunned, she hesitates, "You...". "Unlike you, I have a soul", I say, "Go ahead and wipe my mind blank again. I'll figure you out as many times as I have to...". She begins to shake. I grin, "I'll figure you out as many times as I have to until you [[give us back what you have taken]]. You're gonna wish you had just killed me, Red".

Pure silence rings throughout the village. Red opens her mouth but nothing comes out. The village had recieved its [[answer]].

Seven full days was the amount of time it took for Red to restore everything she had stolen. At the end of those seven days she was a withered shell of the person she once was. The village stood at the front gates and watched as she limped away. Red made it no more than 10 feet before she dropped to the ground. Once her life had stopped, Ours could finally [[resume ->resumes]].